While the world becomes faster and smaller with each day passing, having a second career is now a common norm among driven and enthusiastic professionals. Many people successfully manage two or more different jobs at a time. There are many among us who are not happy with our first career, be it not getting enough work or not finding it satisfying enough. Some of us just end up on such career trajectories because we made some wrong decisions after high school. But it’s never late for anything. All of these problems can be mitigated up to a certain extent by having a second career that gives you something your first career cannot provide.
If you are someone who is willing to start over with a new job, choosing the perfect field is very important. But how do you choose a second career? If choosing the first one was complicated enough, choosing a second one would be just as tough, right? Well, if you’re looking for job satisfaction and to help some people along the way, then choosing nursing as a second career could be a decision that might change your life forever.
Easy Entry
Even though nursing is a professional course that generally requires a degree from a 4-year program, you can gain easy entry to the nursing profession with an associate degree in nursing. Not only the duration of the course is shorter, but you can also earn this while working through your first career. Graduates of the associate degree program are eligible to appear for the NCLEX-RN examination and become Registered Nurses.
It’s true that most employers want their nurses to have a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree, but they still prefer candidates with an associate degree with good potential. It’s a good way to start your second career without investing your years to earn a degree. If you find yourself making good progress, you can always opt for BSN in the future.
High-Demand Profession
Nursing has been, is, and will be one of the most in-demand professions ever in the healthcare sector. Even though there are over 3.8 million registered nurses in the USA alone, hospitals still report limited availability of nursing staff. Considering this demand, which is still growing, choosing a second career in nursing is an assured smart move.
No Shortage of Work
Obviously, nursing being a high-demand profession means you don’t have to struggle so much to find work if you’re working as a registered nurse. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of nursing jobs in the country is over 3 million, with a 7% growth rate projected till 2029. Plus, the job opportunities are not limited to hospitals since nurses are required in every field of healthcare including nursing care facilities, old age homes, educational institutions, military bases, and home nursing.
A Flexible and Evolving Profession
While hospitals are in a race to use state of the art medical equipment and the latest technology to take care of their patients, this ensures tremendous growth in the healthcare sector in terms of the number of hospitals and consequently the number of healthcare personnel required. As a nurse, you get to learn a lot about all sorts of advancements in the medical field. This enables you to switch between various work settings and different work timings.
As a nurse, you don’t have to follow a 9-6 routine work time. You can opt for morning, evening, or even night shifts as per your convenience, allowing yourself to balance your time between nursing and your first career. You can even choose to work on just weekends too. If you’re a parent who has additional responsibilities like taking care of your children, a nursing job will prove to be very convenient.
Over the years, nursing has evolved from just treating patients in a hospital so something systematic and branched. Emergency nursing wakes up the critical thinker in you, while forensic nursing allows you to be more analytical. Holistic nursing deals with ensuring the physical as well as mental well being of your patients. Apart from being a professional, you can enter into research or become an instructor. You can opt for your field according to your preference and passion.
Good Earning Potential
Since there is a notable shortage of nurses across the country, the earnings you could get from your second career as a nurse is promising. According to the U.S. Labor Statistics, more than 50% of the registered nurses earn $73,300 per year. Although your income depends on your work hours and employer, it’s safe to say that generally, your pay will be good enough. If your first job is not giving you much financially, the above figures promise financial stability. Experience matters so much in nursing, so the more you go forward in this profession, the more you’re likely to earn.
Nursing Helps You Grow As A Person
Besides all the reasons stated above, nursing is more than just a second job. It makes you a better person as you get to meet new people and see hardships and happiness of people around you. Nursing gives you a chance to help those in need, allowing you to become a better human being and to give something back to the community. Nurses are always well-rewarded and respected in the society too. It’s no easy job, but if you’re passionate enough to go along the road, nursing will take you to great heights, both professionally and personally.
Whether you’re unhappy with your current job or you’re looking to start over professionally, nursing is one of the most recommended second career options. It provides you with a good paycheck, flexible timing, plenty of job opportunities, and helps you grow into a better human being. If you’re confused about where to start, it’s better to approach a nursing institute like Labouré college so that they can guide you through a successful second career. Don’t ever think it’s too late. There are a lot of people in need of help, and it’s your turn to lend out a helping hand to those in need.
